Car-coupling.



F. W. HILD.

CAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10. 1912.

Patented Dec. 18,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

f WITNESS:

- F. W. HlLD-.

CAR COUPLING.

APPUCAHON FILED JULY 10.1911.

1,250,457. Patented Dec.18,1917.-

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

It ung/1 F. W. HILD.

CAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10. 1917.

1,250,457. Patented Dec.18,1917.

3 SHEETS-"SHEET 3.

INVENTOR 3 14/ M40 g/ggmmsfq; I

A TTORNE Y,

FREDERIC W. HILD, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

CAR-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1917.

Application filed July 10, 1917. Serial No. 179,666.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,Fnnonnro W. HILD, a citizen of the United States, residin at Denver, in the county of Denver and tate of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to car couplings of the type most commonly used on street railways, and its primary object is to provide in association with a pair of cooperative draw-bars, a platform which, irrespective of the relative positions of the cars to which they are applied, provides on curves as well as on tangents a safe and convenient bridge for the passage of passengers from one car to another across the space between them.

Suitable means are provided to continuously close the space between the cars at opposite sides of this bridge and novel devices are associated with the draw-bars for the automatic connection of the conductors of electricity and air-conductors of the connected cars.

With the above and other objects in view, all of which will fully appear in the course of the following description, my invention in its preferred form comprises a pair of cooperative draw-bars which by a selective circular movement in a horizontal plane about either of two opposite pivots on two cars to which they are applied, cause the cars to separate on curves, and thereby maintain their entrances sufficiently in alinement to permit of a convenient passage between them.

The draw-bars form a bridge extending across the space between the cars to which they are applied, in association with a short platform which extends between the draw bars in a plane with their upper surfaces and which for convenience in construction may be composed of two sections provided with cooperative means for their rigid connection.

The means for connecting the sections of the platform preferably consists of a car coupling of the standard type, the cooperative members of which are mounted beneath the platform in connection with suitable means to effect their disconnection when the cars to which the draw-bars are applied, are uncoupled.

By attaching the platform sections to the respective draw-bars by hinged joints, they may be raised from their projecting position when the coupling is not in use, and by ribbing the sections at their under sides, they provide in their raised position, the anticlimbing elements found on street-railway cars toprevent a rising movement of one car with relation to another in case of accidental collision.

Springs which control the movement of the 'draw-bars are arranged so that the drawbar pull between the cars acts directly against their expansive force while the pivotal movement of the draw-bars on rounding curves, exerts an angular compressive pressure upon the springs which thus oppose said movement with but a fraction of their full force of expansion.

Curtains of pantasote. or other flexible material, wound upon spring rollers at opposite sides of the bridge provided by the coupling and extending alongside thereof serve as a protective means against accidents, and coupling devices of suitable construction are applied to the sections of the platform to automatically establish the continuity of the conductors of electricity and air-conduits of two cars connected by my improved coupling. 7 An illustrative embodiment of my invention has been shown in the accompanying drawings in the various views of which like parts are similarly designated, and in which- Figure 1 represents a partially sectional plan view of my improved coupling in its operative position with relation to two endto-end adjoining cars,

Fig. 2, a section taken along the line 22, Fig. 1, drawn to a slightly enlarged scale,

Fig. 3, a horizontal section of the coupling shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4, an end view of one of the sections of the platform included in the coupling, looking in the direction of the arrow A,

' Fig. 2,

Fi 5, an enlarged section taken along the hue 5-5, Fig. 1,

Fi 6, a diagrammatic view showing the position the parts of my improved coupling assume with relation to the cars to which they are applied, while rounding curves,

Fig. 7, a plan view of a modified construction of my invention,

Fig. 8, a sectional elevation of the ends of two coupled cars, showing another modification in the construction of the coupling,

19 Fig. 9, a plan view of the ends of two flat-cars to which my invention is applied, and

Fig. 10, a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 9.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the reference characters 2 designate two end-to-end adjoining cars to which my invention is applied.

Each of the draw-bars 3 of my improved coupling consist of a fiat plate reinforced by a marginal strip 4 which is riveted or otherwise secured at the under side thereof.

The longitudinal edges of the drawbar converge at their outer ends in arcs of equal radii which are drawn from opposite centers contiguous to said edges.

Grooved rollers 5 rotatably mounted on the end-sills of the cars adjacent the points at which the centers of the arcuate edges of 39 their respective draw-bars are. positioned when the cars are on a tangent, provide pivots about which the drawbars turn when by movement'of the coupled cars around curves, their alinement is broken.

Each draw-bar is held yieldingly in its normal position in which its longitudinal axis is in a vertical plane with the longitudinal axis of the car to which it is applied, by means of a coiled spring 6 which extends between a fixed abutment 7 on the end-sill of the car,

and 2. lug secured at the under side of the draw-bar at the rearward end thereof.

A rod 9 pivotally connected to the end sill by means of a bolt 10 which extends through an eye at one of its extremities, extends loosely through the spring and through an opening in the lug of the draw-bar to cooperate with the spring in holding the drawbar yieldingly in its operative position with relation to the car.

To reduce friction durin movement of the draw-bars about either of the two pivots provided by the rollers 5 and permit of the ready restoration of their parts in case of wear or breakage, the draw-bars are provided at their rear ends with plates 12 which are fastened upon their upper surfaces to engage tracks 13 made in conformity with the contour of the draw-bars and so secured at the under side of the cars.

The platform 14: which together with the draw-bars, bridges the space between the cars, is composed of two sections which are connected at the outer ends of the draw- 5 bars by hinged joints 15.

The platform-sections are ribbed at their under side as shown in Fig. 2 to provide anti-climbing elements when they are raised to the position shown in broken lines, and

they are preferably corrugated at their updisconnection of the coupling-members when 5 the cars are uncoupled.

The electrical couplingdevice consists in the construction shown in the drawings, of male and female members 20 and 21 which connect when the sections of the platform are secured by the coupler 17.

Contacts 22 on the members 20 and 21 of the electrical coupling device, constitute the terminals of conductors of electricity forming part of a circuit on the cars and they are brought in conductive connection when the members are in their coupled position, by means of plungers 23. The device for coupling the air-conduits of the car consists in the construction shown in the drawings, of two gaskets 24 which are applied around the orifices of the conduits 25 at the ends of the platform sections to frictionally engage each other when the cars are coupled.

The curtains 26 provided to close the space between the cars at opposite sides of the bridge are wound upon spring rollers 27 which are removably held in hollow, slotted posts erected upon the ends of the cars at opposite sides of their entrances which connect with the passage formed between them by my improved coupling.

Each post is preferably composed of a T- bar 28 and an angle bar 29 erected in juxta- 5 position to each other to provide a chamber in which the respective roller has a rotary movement, and a slot through which the curtain passes for its connection with the opposite roller.

Having thus described the mechanical construction of my improve'd coupler, its advantages will be readily understood.

When two cars to which the coupling is applied move on a tangent, the platform sections rigidly connected by the coupler members 14, provide a safe passage-way which bridges the space between the cars, the hinged joints by which the platform is connected with the draw-bar give the flexibility required for differences in elevation of the car-floors by irregularities in the track along which the cars are propelled, and the curtains at the sides of the platform, provide an adequate protection agalnst accidents.

When the cars round a curve, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the draw-bars move circularly against the action of their springs about one of the pivots provided by the rollers 5, while their curved edges opposite to those contiguous to said pivots, ride across the grooved rollers with which they are in constant engagement.

In contradistinction to the radial drawbars at present in common use which on curves pull the cars to which they are applied, closer together, the draw-bars herein described compel the cars to further separate on curves as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The entrances of the cars are by this movement maintained in sufficient alinement to provide a continuous passage between them; the drawbars extending partially beyond the ends of the cars cooperate with the platform to provide the bridge between the same, and the curtains held taut by the spring rollers, constantly close the space between the cars at opposite sides of the bridge.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings is shown a modificaeion of the arrangement of the springs with relation to the draw-bars which are part of the bridge between the coupled cars.

Yokes 30 extending rearwardly of the draw-bars, are pivotally connected therewith as at 31. The yokes are provided with alined openings for the passage of rods 32 which at their outer ends are pivoted to the respective cars as at 33, and springs 34 are positioned between abutments at the rear ends of the yokes and adjustable collars 35 on the respective rods.

The operation of the modifiedcoupling is similar to that of the preferred form hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 8 ofthe drawin ,is illustrated the method of applying my mvention to two cars of different floor elevations. I

The wear-plate 12 of the draw-bar applied to the car having the higher floor is in this case secured in a plane continuous with that of the wear plate on the lower car, by means of sub-sills. 36 fastened beneath the floor thereof.

The construction of the coupling is otherwise the same as that shown in Figs-1 to 6.

In the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the bridge between two cars is made separate from the coupler the members 37 of which are attached to the cars in the usual manner.

This form of my invention has been shown as applied to two fiat-cars 38, it being especially adapted to provide a means for transferring a load from one car to another. across the space between them.

A bridging platform consists of a plate which forconvenience may be composed of two sections 39 and 49 connected dowels 41.

The longitudinal edges at opposite ends of the plate converge as in the first-described form of my invention, in arcs dra wn from opposite centers contiguous to said edges and they likewise bear against grooved rollers 42 about which the plate has a pivotal movement when the cars to which it is applied, move around curves.

The bridging plate is applied to the coupled fiat-cars by placing it loosely on the floors thereof across the space between them and in engagement with the rollers 42 rotatably mounted at the ends of the cars, to effect the pivotal movement of the plate while the cars move around curves.

It will be understood that while the improved coupling has been shown. and described in the forms which at present appear to be best and simplest, variations in the construction and arrangement of its parts may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims: 1

1. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element bridging the space between them and having bodily a selective pivotal movement about fixed points at opposite sides of their longitudinalaxes.

2. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element bridging the space between them and having bodily a selective pivotal movement about 'fixed points at opposite sides of their longitudinal axes, and resilient means to yieldingly oppose said movement.

3. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element extendin across the ends thereof to bridge'the space etween them and having bodily a selective pivotal movement about fixed points at opposite sides of their longitudinal axes.

4. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of a relatively movable element adapted to bridge the space between them and including edges which converge at. its ends in arcs drawn out of opposite centers, and pivots on said cars, engaging said edges.

5. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of a relatively movable sectional element adapted to bridge the space between them and including edges which converge at its ends in arcs drawn out of opposite centers, and pivots on said cars, engaging said edges.

6. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of a relatively movable element adapted to bridge the space between them and including edges which converge at its ends in arcs drawn out of opposite centers, resilient means to yieldingly oppose said movement, and pivots on said cars, engaging said edges.

7. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of a relatively movable element adapted to bridge the space between them and including edges which converge at its ends in arcs drawn out of opposite centers, and pivots on said cars at said centers in engagement with said edges.

8. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of a relatively movable element adapted to bridge the space between them and including edges which converge at its ends in arcs drawn out of opposite centers, and rotary pivots on said cars, engaging said edges.

9. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of a relatively movable element adapted to bridge the space between them and including edges which converge at its ends in arcs drawn out of opposite centers, and rollers on said cars, engaging said edges.

10. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of' an element adapted to,

bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, and a platform connecting said draw-bars.

11. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, and a platform connected by hinged joints between said draw-bars.

12. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, resilient means to yieldingly oppose said movement of the draw-bars, and a platform connecting the same.

13. The combination with two end-to-end spaced cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, platform connecting said draw-bars, and composed of complementary sections, and means for the connection of said sections.

14. The combination with two end-to-end spaced cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, a platform connecting said draw-bars, and composed of complementary sections and a coupler on the platform for the connection of its sections.

- 15. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a movement lengthwise with relation to the cars and a selective pivotal movement about points at opposite sides of the longitudinal axes of the same, resilient means to yieldingly oppose said movements, and a platform connecting said draw-bars.

16. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, a platform connecting said draw-bars, and longitudinally expansive protective means closing the space between the cars at opposite sides of said element.

17. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, a platform connecting said draw-bars, spring-rollers on the cars, and curtains on said rollers, extending across the .space between the cars at opposite sides of said element.

18. The combination with two end-to-end spaced cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, a platform connecting said draw-bars and composed of complementary sections, means for the connection of said sections, and coupling devices on said sections to establish the continuity of conduits on said cars.

19. The combination with two end-to-end spaced cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having a selective pivotal movement about points on the cars at opposite sides thereof, a platform connecting said draw-bars and composed of complementary sections, means for the connection of said sections, and coupling devices on said sections to establish the continuity of conductors of electricity on said cars.

20. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of a relatively movable element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having edges which converge in arcs drawn out of opposite centers, and a platform connecting said draw-bars, and pivots on the cars engaging said edges.

21. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of a relatively movable element adapted to bridge the space between them and including two draw-bars having edges which converge in arcs drawn out of opposite centers, and a platform connecting said draw-bars, pivots on the cars engaging said edges, and resilient means to yieldingly oppose a movement of said draw-bars about said pivots.

22. The combination with two end-to-end coupled cars, of an element adapted to bridge the space between them and includin two longitudinally and pivotally mov able draw-bars having edges which converge in arcs drawn out of op osite centers, and a platform connecting sald draw-bars, pivots on said cars engaging said edges, and resilient means to yieldingly oppose said movements of the draw-bars.

23. The combination with two end-to-end placed cars, of a coupling bridging the space etween them and adapted to swing bodily about a relatively fixed point at one side of its longitudinal axis.

24. The combination with two end-to-end placed cars, of a coupling bridging the space between them and adapted to swm bodily about either of two relatively fixe points disposed-at opposite sides of its longitudinal axis.

25. The combination with two end-to-end placed cars, of a coupling bridging the space etween them and adapted to swmg bodily about either of two relativel fixed points on each car, at opposite sides 0 its longitudinal axis. In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERIC W. HILD, Witnesses:

A. W. BLAIR, A. C. MONTGOMERY. 

